Can an overemphasis on Social Justice Issues Rob us Of
Gospel-Centered Biblical Preaching?
(Or is it possible that this is just another either/or fallacy).
I would suggest in the bigger picture of Christianity, local churches, denominations, and mission boards have both formed and divided over these issues. I simple look at church history proves this point. To deny denominations have split of slavery or the ordination of women would a denial of American history. For evidence, compare the Southern Baptist Convention to the Northern Baptist Convention. Or compare the Southern Baptist Convention to the Cooperative Baptist Convention. All Baptists, have dramatically different views in regard to social justice issues (and I would suggest even in the content of the gospel). This latter part is of greater (and eternal) concern.
It would be rather naive to claim there is a simple answer to this dilemma. It would be equally improper to claim we have a more robust and mature Christianity simply because our own particular church(s) claim(s) to be "balanced" on this issue. No doubt, the balanced position finds a way to paint everyone else as an extreme. Anyway on to our Biblical text.
For this idea (and certainly not the only location), I'll turn to Luke 10:38-42. I came across this text yet again in my M'Cheyne Bible reading plan (which hits this verse twice each calendar year and which I highly recommend):
"38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
This may be a huge "misapplication" but many study notes say otherwise. Is it possible to get so caught up in serving and focusing on social justice issues that the gospel gets second place? Is it possible to think you are doing all sorts of things with the motive of "love" that gospel preaching and evangelism never actually happens? Do we get so caught up in "doing" that we start redefining key doctrinal terms such as: mercy, grace, or justification?
Is it possible to make this error in a food pantry? A soup kitchen? Homeless shelter? These ideas may be good in an of themselves but if the gospel is never preached, then what? Well fed, well rested unbelievers. Is there more that local churches could do to reach out to a dying world around them? Yes, of course (its not the governments job).
What then is evangelism? What is an actual gospel presentation? Is it possible that the above mentioned social justice issues can be defended more with Biblical pragmatism when mixed with the gospel? Foreign mission? Build me a well and I listen to your story. Give me food and I'll believe in your God. I don't say these as straw men. This is real-world modern day mission board philosophy. Put simply: if it works, then it must be okay if allows for a gospel presentation. As to when in church history this means of evangelism has become acceptable is another question you must answer.
The study notes go straight to the point, "Martha's problem was not that she was serving: it was that she was distracted by 'much serving' (v. 40). It is not only bad things that keep us from true communion with Christ; it is often an excessive preoccupation, anxiety, and distraction with good things" (The Reformation Heritage Study Bible, p. 1476).
On the other hand, is possible that Martha was not focused on worship but too fixated on the details, "Martha was evidently fussing about with details that were unnecessarily elaborate" (The MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1502).
Ryrie as well seems to catch this misplaced emphasis, "One simple dish for the meal is all that is necessary, rather than the elaborate preparations Martha had made" (Ryrie Study Bible, p. 1644).
We could add plenty more but as you can see we can get so preoccupied with service (perhaps even in the name of being self-less or hospitable), that we can completely miss the bigger picture. Here I would suggest we can miss correct worship practices or even worse completely skew a right presentation of the gospel message. So is this an either/or fallacy? They certainly are not diametrically opposed to each other. But it seems clear we can get caught up in service (or doing things in the name of "ministry") that the gospel message never actually happens.
Thoughts of course. Comments encouraged (as always).
What is the Mission of the Church?
